All Out in the Open
All Out in the Open, Questions from the Closet
All Out in the Open is a resource for LGBTQ Latter-day Saints and those who love them. Our goal is to help listeners connect with themselves, with their families, with their community, and with God. Hosts Charlie Bird and Ben Schilaty help listeners open up to themselves and those around them. Clare Dalton digs into the scriptures and teaches how they can be a catalyst for personal revelation. Iese Wilson takes listeners on a tour of LGBTQ Latter-day Saints all over the Church and introduces us to modern day pioneers. Michael Soto and Liz Macdonald highlight the amazing work of those who are building and strengthening their communities. Learn more at www.alloutintheopen.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 9, 2025 • 60min
Working With Opponents to Protect & Advance Rights (with Sara Burlingame)
This week in our ALL Together episode, Liz Macdonald and Michael Soto sit down with Sara Burlingame, former Wyoming state legislator and current Executive Director of Wyoming Equality.Sara shares what it’s like to live and work as an LGBTQ+ advocate in Wyoming, drawing from her experiences in both nonprofit and government spaces. She reflects on the importance of protecting rights, reaching across the aisle, and meeting people where they are to build meaningful bridges.With a background in faith organizing and a deep commitment to justice, Sara offers insight into how partnerships with faith communities and neighbors of all perspectives can create lasting change.
Sep 2, 2025 • 2min
Join Us For a Gathering
We’re hosting a morning gathering for LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saints and those who love them! Think light breakfast, good conversation, a few connection activities, and a short devotional.📅 Saturday, September 13🕙 10:00am – 12:00pm📍 Private residence in Provo, UT (address shared after RSVP)RSVP using the link in our Instagram bio!Would love to see you there.
Aug 26, 2025 • 44min
Church Resources You May Not Know About (with Barry Donakey)
This week’s OPEN Up episode features Barry Donakey, who helped launch LGBTQ+ workshops at Utah Valley Institute and is involved with the Gather Conference.Barry joins Ben and Charlie to explore Church resources that support individuals, families, and leaders in ministering to LGBTQ+ members.You can find the church counseling resources here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/counseling-resources/same-sex-attraction?lang=engand the life help resources here: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/topics/gay?lang=eng
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 10min
When God’s Promises Seem Unmet (with Hannah Bryan)
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode Clare Dalton and Hannah Bryan discuss Doctrine and Covenants 94-108. These sections outline the intense persecution of the early Church members living in Missouri. As a transgender woman, Hannah has faced violence in her own life that mirrors that experiences of the early Saints.Clare and Hannah dive into the formation of the United Firm and Zion’s Camp. These groups faced challenges and didn’t achieve every purpose they set out to do—reminders that not all of God’s promises are fulfilled right away or how we expect.
Aug 12, 2025 • 48min
Why a Queer Asian Nonmember Showed Up At an LDS Institute (with Atlas Nocturne)
This OUT and About episode features Atlas Nocturne (he/they). While at Arizona State University, Atlas began attending the Church’s Institute of Religion—even though they’re not a member.They share what it was like to navigate faith spaces as a trans, non-binary person and how Church members made them feel welcome. Atlas’ story is a reminder that understanding and connection can bloom, even when we start from very different places.
Aug 5, 2025 • 58min
Building Bridges over Obstacles Together (with Bree & Kit Borrowman)
This week in our ALL Together episode, Bree and Kit Borrowman share their powerful journey of love, identity and community. Bree, a high school science teacher, lived with gender incongruence and dysphoria for about 50 years before coming out. Since then, she’s found joy and peace living as her authentic self.Her wife, Kit, shares what it’s been like to walk this road alongside Bree. Together, they discuss the deep sense of belonging they’ve found in the LGBTQ+ community while remaining active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 19min
How a Gay Catholic is Making Space to Stay (with Justin Telthorst)
This week in our OPEN Up episode, Ben Schilaty and Charlie Bird talk with Justin Telthorst, a gay Catholic and founder of Empty Chairs, a nonprofit working to build belonging between LGBTQ+ individuals and the Catholic Church.Justin shares his journey of faith, identity, and advocacy—discussing what it’s like to be queer in a conservative faith tradition, and how he’s found purpose in creating space for others to feel seen. It’s a powerful conversation about authenticity, hope, and the kind of love that makes room for everyone.
Jul 22, 2025 • 46min
Gather Conference Live Q&A
How can I be a good ally? How do you stay hopeful in a difficult world? Who is Ben’s celebrity crush?Learn the answers (and more) in this THE Exclusive episode: a live Q&A from the 2025 Gather Conference featuring Ben Schilaty, Charlie Bird and Liz Macdonald.
Jul 15, 2025 • 1h 21min
New Eyes and a Fresh Understanding (with Ben Bernards)
This week in our IN the Scriptures episode, Clare Dalton sits down with Ben Bernards, an author, blogger, podcaster, and a beloved youth speaker known for his energetic love of the gospel. He is also a husband and father to three daughters—two of whom are trans.Together, Ben and Clare dive into the Doctrine and Covenants and reflect on what it means to truly embrace light and truth: by trusting God, overcoming fear, and letting go of previously held beliefs.
Jul 8, 2025 • 43min
A Closet without a Door: How Culture Affects Coming Out (with Adrian)
Our OUT and About episode this week looks a little different. Our guest Adrian (name changed) from Indonesia isn’t able to come out publicly, so he shared his experiences as an LGBTQ+ Latter-day Saint with host Iese Wilson, who retold them to Ben Schilaty. We’re grateful for every story bravely shared on All Out in the Open.
